STABLE BOY ; Trash of the Count's Family

72. CITY OF LIFE

South couldn't look away from the City of the Dark Elves. It was breathtaking.

The lights illuminated through the trees, ethereal colours setting the land aglow. Surrounded by plantlife like this, isolated by the world yet filled with life in the land of Death, South couldn't help but feel like he belonged here.

The balls glimmering overhead on the strings were enchanting, like a festival, and South stood there, taking it all in.

It's been a while since he's explored new areas like this. He couldn't help the encroaching anxiety in his chest that told him of the dangers of the unknown, but he felt safe, cradling Hong and on to his chest as they admired the location.

With everyone around, there's no way this place could pose any danger to them.

(He almost expected something to happen, because isn't that usually the case when you're in a new place as glamourously designed as this? No place is safe until you've conquered it. But now, Young Master Cale does not seek to conquer, and thus, neither does the South.)

"You will fall behind," Mister Shawn, their guide, called for him.

That made Cale notice him as well. "Stable boy. You will have time to sightsee later with the children. For now, let's not get separated."

"Yes, Young Master."

South felt slightly embarrassed, when Rosalyn so casually took his arm and walked together. He also didn't miss the way Vicross stayed at the back of the group, eyeing everyone carefully but most of all pushing South in the back when he ever stopped walking to curiously glance at some of the street stalls.

"I'm not the youngest," he pouted.

"Then stop acting like it," Choi Han retorted.

Maybe South liked being looked out for, after all.

-

"But his physique certainly is interesting," Shawn observes, as he led them through the city. "Is he usually this inattentive to all things? The city's concentrated energy of Death may be affecting him. It seems some of his vitality is sustained by it."

"Oh? You think so too," Cage blinked.

South, lingering at the back of the group next to Vicross, was now looking up into the ceiling, in awe of what looked like the starscape to him.

"He's usually like this, but it seems to be worse right now," Choi Han said.

Vicross looked like he wanted to just drag South by the shirt collar over so they can go already. But South looked so entranced by the view, the kids were indulging him.

"Usually for malnourished humans, much less children, just a little amount of Dead Mana can be fatal," Shawn said. "It's a miracle he's survived until adulthood like that."

"It's like his soul is trying its hardest to survive past everything that comes his way," Rosalyn said. "That's why he's instead adapted to Dead Mana, and he hasn't overdosed on those potions that could put a dragon to sleep."

"Are we sure he's human," Cage began. "Are we sure he's not a weapon of mass destruction?"

Cale grimaced. "His survival instinct is so strong. I don't think he'll die if you killed him."

"Well he hasn't driven the carriage off the cliff yet with his condition. I think we'll live through a meteor shower with him somehow," Vicross grumbled, clearly knowing something a little more about this considering he spent a while taking shifts driving a carriage with South.

"Hey. Don't," Choi Han sounded sincerely concerned. "Something up above might take it as a challenge."

"It's more as if... his soul is being chained here, with the power of Death," Cage said. The same way the energy of Death lingers here and makes things thrive. "It's hard to describe."

"That must be why Mana reacts oddly around him as well," Rosalyn hummed, "it's quite mysterious."

"He can also swim in a Dead Mana-polluted lake with no problem, at this point, he may as well be a Dark Elf," Ron said, amused with the smile of the devil on his face as the Dark Elves gasped at the information.

"He can do what?"

"That can't be healthy. Even we don't do that," Shawn said, slightly disgusted.

"Yeah, a human equivalent of that would be like swimming in potions," Cage was also in disbelief, "you're going to get chemical burns."

"Oh nah," Rosalyn said, "he chugs the strongest potions three times a day when we're near the sea. He's fine."

"Damn. But in a pool of Dead Mana? Are we sure he's not a Dark Elf?"

Cale's had enough. "Stop signing him up for extra citizenships every time we talk about him," he groaned, "horse and human is enough."

There was a moment of chastised silence.

Then Hong piped up, "you forgot Mythical Creature, nya."

-

As Cale went to meet the mayor with Tasha, Choi Han and Raon tagging along, South found himself at their accommodations. The innkeeper, a nice older man, was very hospitable to them. Which was expected considering they were specifically introduced by Shawn.

"Is there anything that needs help?" South asked, after settling down. He would be sharing a room with Choi Han later, so he'd already had the room settled, and the cat tribe kids were now in their human forms beside him. Now it was just nothing to do until Young Master returned.

The inn was nice and homely. For now, people were dining casually, and it seemed like the few waitstaff were running about haggardly. Several tables out here still had dirty plates on them, since they were using this lull in the traffic to focus in the kitchen instead.

"Oh, you are so helpful, young one," the innkeeper smiled warmly, "but you are a guest. Please just rest."

South nodded. He is not going to listen to that.

"Sir, I will die if I am not working. It's a chronic illness," he told the man with a straight face, earning a startled gasp. "You don't have to pay me. Let me do anything to help you, it is what I am born to do after all."

"Oh, I couldn't," the man was nervous.

"Please, I insist."

"Well..."

It took a while for the man to cave in to his request, but eventually, he couldn't continue debating anymore. You needed a dragon or a Choi Han to get in the way of South and finding ways to overwork.

"Hong-ah, On-ah," he called, "you always help the Young Master with his tasks, and you help Raon-nim with his studying, and Mister Ron trains you. How about you two help me out with something unrelated to violence and books for once?"

Their heads tilted to the side, confused.

And that's how South manages to dress the kids up as little waiter and waitress, gathering plates and taking orders as the dining rush comes in. Their quick feet and nimble reflexes made them very capable at their jobs.

South looked at them, satisfied. This might be a tedious job to some, but since the kids don't get to experience civilian tasks like these often, this can be fun to them.

Also, they're adorable. So justice.

"Hey, since you're their oppa, are you a cat too?" the lady working the kitchen asked. "So you're a Kitty Big Brother?"

South accepted his fate with a shoulder-slumping groan.

"Is the beer tank refilled? I want to get those thirteen mugs of beer filled and get back out on the floor."

"You're gonna carry them all at once?"

"What, like it's hard?"